“Money is like manure,” says long-term Bangalow resident John Bennett. “It’s made to spread around; if you pile it up, it stinks.”
Which is why the 82-year-old has devoted the past third of his life to ensuring money is spread around where it’s needed, an undertaking that earned him the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community of the Northern Rivers in the June 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list.
Following a successful business career, John retired early and very soon began concentrating his skills and experience on helping others. “I found community service – working with people – more satisfying than playing golf,” he says. At least 14 community groups have benefited from his energetic input – and many continue to do so.
“I don’t believe I can do anything on a national scale but I can make a contribution at the community level, and I feel very proud to have done so,” he says. “Being put forward for the award by my peers in the community is a great honour.”
John came to Australia from South Africa at the age of 18, keen for adventure. After a spell running a market research company in Singapore he returned to Sydney and set up his own company, Bennett Research, in 1975. He fell in love with the Northern Rivers and in 1980 bought a farm just outside the town; 150 acres, which he planted with macadamias, peaches and guavas.
From there it was to a farmhouse in Friday Hut Road, and then onto an empty block off Possum Creek Road, which he has transformed into a gorgeous country estate, running beef cattle, like his grandfather did.
He met his wife Jen at the Rails hotel in the early 90s and they’ve been together ever since. A 45-year Bangalow resident, he says he has found his “perfect place”.
One of John’s earliest philanthropic roles was as an adviser to the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, supporting youth employment, but he has also contributed time and fundraising, networking and marketing know-how to the Byron Community Centre, the Byron Writers Festival, Liberation Larder, Enova Energy, Byron Youth Service and many more. Particularly satisfying was the work he did as president of the Uncle Project, and he remains in contact with the young man he mentored through the scheme.
John’s wide-ranging altruism gained a sharper focus 22 years ago when he helped found the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), a registered charity and “giving” organisation designed to last forever.
The Foundation is based on an “in-perpetuity” model, whereby donations are pooled and ethically invested in a perpetual fund, whose income is strategically distributed to local community organisations.
The now renowned organisation has provided more than $10 million to groups working to empower girls and women, boost disaster resilience, ease access to education, reduce homelessness and conserve the environment, among many other areas of need. The selection of grant recipients is very well controlled, John says, and money goes only to worthy causes in the Northern Rivers.
Every donation is tax-deductible and becomes, quite literally, the gift that keeps on giving.
Seven years ago, John further refined his work within the NRCF, taking on the role of Bequest Ambassador – encouraging people to pledge donations in their wills – a contribution that will continue to work and support the community long after the donor has passed.
John has put his money where his mouth is, pledging $1 million to the Foundation upon his death; his friend and fellow Foundation stalwart, Paul Jameson, has left his entire estate to it. There is no requirement to give such high amounts, John says. “Any contribution is welcome – and it is vital that it is undertaken with the knowledge and agreement of any other would-be beneficiaries.”
John made a point of discussing his bequest with his three adult children, who all readily agreed to sharing the wealth with the community.
He is a believer in people helping their own family first, with a proviso: “Give your kids enough so they have a bed to sleep in, but not so much that they won’t get out of it,” he says, only half-jokingly.
Several Bangalow residents are among the 40 or so community members who have pledged bequests, although no-one in the NRCF has any idea how much it might add up to: such details are private – between an individual and their solicitor, John says. “We don’t get involved in that at all. We don’t push or ask for details.”
The sense of purpose he has received from giving his time and talents to enterprises such as the NRCF is deeply fulfilling, John says.
“I have got enormous rewards out of it and I would recommend it to anyone to try volunteering and community work. There’s a great need for it and it’s very satisfying.”
Paul Jameson says John has not only made a substantial bequest and serious donations to the NRCF, but “he has also been inspirational to others to become involved, to join us to help raise money and support the organisation”.
People new to the area have found the Foundation’s information nights a great way to connect with the community, John says, and anyone wanting to learn more about making a bequest are welcome to attend one of the morning teas that are held periodically, by contacting Sandra at the NRCF office at engagement@nrcf.org.au
Digby Hildreth